Akinniyi A. Adeleke and Jeremiah Habila
The paper aims to report the level of awareness, ownership and use of weblogs by librarians in Nigeria.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to report the level of awareness, ownership and use of weblogs by librarians in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a survey research approach using online survey software to elicit information on issues relating to librarians' awareness, knowledge, ownership and use of weblogs.
Findings
Data analysis shows that librarians demonstrate remarkable level of awareness and knowledge about weblogs and their benefits to professional practice and services but they neither own nor use the technology.
Research limitations/implications
The study was limited by a low response rate to the survey. Less than 7 per cent of the members of the online NLA forum used for the data collection responded. This implies that internet culture is still in its formative stage among librarians in Nigeria.
Practical implications
The paper concludes by enunciating the need for awareness creation, training and re‐training programmes for librarians to start creating and maintaining personal and institutional weblogs and other social networking media that could enhance professional practice and services.
Social implications
The study promises to sensitize librarians and other information professionals in Nigeria and other developing countries to the social values of weblogs and similar technologies in terms of communication, networking, knowledge sharing and other usefulness.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to empirical research on library use of Web 2.0 technologies in Nigeria and literature in the field of library and information science.
Details
Keywords
Richard Olorunsola and Akinniyi A. Adeleke
The purpose of this paper is to report on research that examined the issues of e‐journal subscription, subscription models and the future of print version of journals in Nigerian…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on research that examined the issues of e‐journal subscription, subscription models and the future of print version of journals in Nigerian universities.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey study was used to collect data from the selected 30 universities that covered the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The questionnaire contained questions that are pertinent to the issues being investigated. The 22 responses (73.3 percent) received were processed, analyzed and results presented.
Findings
The study reveals that Nigerian universities subscribe to e‐journals, i.e. full‐text journals. They employ acceptable models for subscriptions, however, they use consortium more than any other model. Most libraries want to retain print format.
Research limitations/implications
While the study is limited to 22 university libraries, it has applications to similar universities across Nigeria, be they public or private.
Practical implications
This research provides information on the status of subscription to e‐journals in Nigerian libraries methods, and policy issues. The data and findings may help provide ways to manage e‐journals better in Nigerian libraries to serve user needs.
Originality/value
At the time of the completion of this study no such work had been done before in Nigeria.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to narrate the success story of Tekena Tamuno Library by harnessing the multi-dimensional advantages of digital repository management, including multiple access to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to narrate the success story of Tekena Tamuno Library by harnessing the multi-dimensional advantages of digital repository management, including multiple access to documents, simultaneous use by multiple patrons and effective space management, to address the tug of war that used to ensue between students and circulation staff over retrieval and use of past examinations question papers in the library.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyzes and reports the situation before and after the creation of Redeemers University e-question bank.
Findings
Interpersonal conflicts that often accompanied manual management and circulation of past question papers in the library were removed by the intervention. The circulation area that was often rowdy and noisy prior to digitization is now neat, quiet and alluring to visitors. Patrons now have a good perception of the library and its staff, thereby giving the library good reputation within and outside the university community.
Social implications
The paper shows that digitization could help to resolve interpersonal conflicts often created by manual management of paper documents in academic libraries.
Originality/value
There is a dearth of literary evidence on how Nigerian libraries digitized past examination question papers. This paper has addressed this gap to some extent.